2017 Genesis G90 Review

With only slight differences in price and fuel economy between the 3.3T Premium and 5.0 Ultimate models, we suggest checking out the 5.0 Ultimate. Either engine provides more than enough power, but the burlier V8 sounds better. On top of that, you get a significant upgrade for the rear seats.

Overall drivability is great. Fuel-efficient Eco mode is conservative but not so anemic that you never want to use it; Normal mode delivers smooth but alert characteristics for everyday driving; and Sport sharpens everything an enjoyable degree. The kickdown lag is the only shortfall.

The twin-turbo V6 has enough low-end thrust that you won't miss having a V8. It sprints to 60 mph in under 5.5 seconds, which keeps pace with the rest of segment but the eight-speed automatic lacks response on full-throttle kickdowns, so you have to time those passing maneuvers carefully.

The G90's brakes have a light effort and make it easy to perform smooth, jerk-free stops. At maximum effort, the G90 remains stable, but it pitches forward a bit when the softer suspension settings are selected. It needed 112 feet to stop from 60 mph, which is competitive on all-season tires.

Steering feel was never a strength for the G90 or its predecessors, and remains relatively sensationless. But there's a nice balance of assist and directness in the various drive modes, and we didn't encounter any stability deficiencies out on the open highway.

The G90's purpose isn't to be a sport sedan, but it does a fairly good job of picking up its feet when asked. All-wheel drive does a good job of putting all that power to the pavement, though stability control won't hesitate to step in and shut the party down if a whiff of wheelspin occurs.

Overall drivability is great. Fuel-efficient Eco mode is conservative but not so anemic that you never want to use it; Normal mode delivers smooth but alert characteristics for everyday driving; and Sport sharpens everything an enjoyable degree. The kickdown lag is the only shortfall.

Genesis may be a new luxury brand, but it seems to have its comfort game figured out. Highly adjustable seats with ventilation and heat, a plush suspension, an effective climate system and a whisper-quiet cabin create a business-class environment for your commuting pleasure.

The power front seats are supremely comfortable and come standard with ventilation and heat. The adjustments are numerous but functional for dialing in personalized comfort, and not just a superfluous marketing gimmick. And all seat cushions achieve a pleasant balance between firm and supple.

The G90's adaptive suspension is soft and pillowy in its plushest setting. Sharp bumps are properly muted, though some roads can make the ride feel floaty rather than stable and buttoned down. Even in its sportiest setting, the G90 lacks some body movement control, but the ride is never harsh.

The G90 cabin is serenity in a nutshell. Engine idle is extremely soft, no interior squeaks or rattles, virtually zero wind noise and very little ambient noise. There is a mild amount of low-frequency road noise at cruising speeds, but it's easily erased by the powerful 17-speaker sound system.

Once set, we didn't have to adjust the climate control system to maintain a comfy environment, even when returning to a hot cabin after lunch. Seat ventilation could stand to be stronger, but the seat heaters provide effective and even heat. The rear seat has its own climate controls and four vents.

The full-size, executive-length European luxury sedans set a high bar, but G90 holds its own when it comes to the fundamentals of a well-executed cabin. The controls and interfaces aren't overcomplicated, you can climb in and out with ease, and passenger space is comparable to the rest of the class.

With the exception of navigating through your smartphone media library, the G90 controls are easy to figure out and use without a user manual. There isn't anything unique or innovative about the infotainment system, but everything from the driver aids to the climate controls is easily accessible.

Entry is easy through any door, but extra wide rear openings and the higher cushion position make slipping into the back especially easy. Both driver and front passenger have an easy entry feature that move the seats back when the doors open and back into position after closing.

The 22-way driver seat provides a ton of adjustment in seat height and fore-aft travel and has a thigh cushion extended for long-legged pilots. The electronic steering column is adjustable for height and reach and provides sufficient range for nearly anyone to find an optimal position.

The front seats have good stretch-out room, and even with a raised center console, it doesn't feel claustrophobic. The rear seats have generous amounts of leg- and headroom, and the fold-up center armrest/control center makes it possible for three adults to sit abreast in relative comfort.

Forward visibility is excellent with large front windows, a wide windshield, and side-view mirrors mounted lower on the doors instead of the front pillars. The view out the shorter rear window isn't really obstructed but feels mildly limiting. But you do have an army of cameras at your disposal.

The cabin of the G90 may not overload your senses quite like the S-Class' does, but it may pleasantly surprise you. The leather upholstery is soft and supple, and all the surfaces that are wrapped in it are tight and wrinkle-free. The switchgear lacks a little heft but achieves the right look.

Despite their size, large luxury sedans don't have as much storage as you'd expect, often because they prioritize passenger comfort and interior elegance. The G90 follows form here and offers nothing special, with the exception of its hands-free automatic trunk opener.

There isn't a ton of small storage up front. A flip-lid bin with USB and wireless chargers won't close if an iPhone is plugged in. Armrest storage is modest, and the door pockets are slim but felt-lined to minimize noise from objects rolling around. The door handle holes can store things in a pinch.

At 15.7 cubic feet, the trunk is slightly smaller than competitors' but is wide at the entry and preserves most of its width toward the rear seats. There's a fairly low liftover and a ski pass-through, too. Most, if not all, cars in the segment don't have folding rear seats, and the G90 is no except...

There are two pairs of LATCH anchors tucked away in the rear outboard seat creases, which make them slightly harder to access. The rear tethers are easier to access, behind the head rests under flip-up lids. The large rear door opening provides a wide berth for installing a baby seat.

The G90 comes fully stocked with tech, and it's all included. The Lexicon audio system should please just about any audiophile, while the suite of active driver aids and telematic functions shows how bullish Genesis is on technology. Now, we just have to wait for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The decorative metal grilles are a nice touch to the 17-speaker premium audio system, which produces exquisitely rich sound. The navigation system breaks no new ground but is easy to use and search out points of interest using the power of Google.

There's USB and Bluetooth connectivity, but navigating the media folder is frustrating because the menu structure varies depending on how your device is connected and there's no good way to back out of folder menus. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are coming, and they can't arrive soon enough.

An extensive suite of driver aids is standard and includes all the usual adaptive technologies and a surround-view camera system with multiple viewing modes. Many driving aids work well and have multiple settings so they can be tailored for driving style. The lane keeping assist needs some refinemen...

The voice controls offer basic commands for radio tuning, media playback, and inputting an address or point-of-interest destination. The native voice recognition works well and provides easy-to-follow voice prompts that you can turn off after you become familiar with the system.